Name: Katie McLeanHow long have you worked at MOA?: Since the beginning of June 2014.What is your job title and what do you do?: I am a historical interpreter, responsible for assisting with educational programs and developing new workshops/demonstrations for visitors.What background/training have you completed for this current position? I am entering my fourth year at Western University (Huron), with a focus on Anthropology, French, and History. For the past two summers, I have worked at museums (one on the history of Lambton County, and another on the Basque whaling industry in Québec).What inspired you to work at MOA? I have always had an interest in archaeology, and in the archaeology of Ontario in particular. I remember visiting MOA while I was in high school and really enjoying the ‘Archaeologist for a Day’ program. I believe it is very important that we understand and appreciate the heritage of this area, and MOA is the ideal place to do just that!What is your favourite part of your job? My favourite part of my job is getting to work with school groups and seeing how MOA’s interactive activities and demonstrations can increase students’ interest in archaeology and in history. I also really enjoy working as part of a team to develop new historical demonstrations for visitors.If there was one thing you could tell the world about MOA, what would it be? MOA offers numerous educational programs and day camps for students throughout the year. These provide the perfect opportunity for children to learn about archaeology through fun and interactive activities!

Hi! I am Nicole Aszalos and I have been working at MOA since May 2014. My official job title is a curatorial intern, but as in any smaller institution, that takes on a broad meaning since I am diving into something different and exciting every day. As a curatorial intern, my first project was to redesign the interpretive panels both on the Lawson site and inside the permanent gallery to make them more accessible and interactive with the public. Currently I am still working on that, but I have also started working on standardizing and creating digital records of the collection, rehousing various artefacts, and conducting research. Read more

Hello, I’m Mark Wilcox, volunteering here at MOA from ATN Access. I’m here to help in the gift shop for a 10 week placement. Many of the things I do at ATN is research for local jobs, write resumes, and fill out job applications.

I’m also known as the “Ribbonator” because I’ve acquired professional ribbon curling status! I’ve been helping Jennifer in the gift shop doing various skill building tasks that I can transfer into a full time job. Since there are many birthday parties, I’ve been learning how to curl ribbon (many guys can’t say they have this talent). I’ve gotten so good that I could be Spiderman’s sidekick, spraying curled ribbon from my wrist.

‘Me’ as the RibbonatorMedicine Wheel Smudge KitWorking in the GardensA professional ‘selfie’ 🙂

Other things I’ve learned have been receiving orders and maintaining inventory, creating museum-made items, greeting visitors, using the cash register, gallery maintenance, photographing, gardening, and much much more!

Before coming to MOA, I had graduated from high school and was looking for work. I was happy to hear that I’d be working in a gift shop because I have a lot of retail experience, there’s a lot to keep me busy here at the Museum, and I have an interest in history. When I’m not at work, I enjoy playing soccer, reading, hanging out with friends, going to the movie theatre, and looking for a fun job.

My favourite part of my job is working with customers, showing them around the museum, and working at the cash register when I’m needed. If there’s one thing to tell the world about MOA it’s that it’s an interesting place to bring your kids because it tells you about Ontario’s First Nation people’s history.

Today is Museum Memories Day and I’d love to share with you my recent discovery.

A couple weeks ago, I was going through my family photos which my dad digitally archived over the course of a few winters. I was shocked and excited to come across this photo of myself at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology at the age of six. I had never seen this image before and couldn’t wait to share it with my co-workers and MOA friends. I’ve been told that this is the second version of a longhouse that was built on this site. The palisade poles and longhouse are quite different today. Read more

My name is Marta and I’m an education assistant at the museum. I’ve only worked here for a few months but it feels much, much longer. As an education assistant I do a lot of really cool things. How many other people can say they made soup over a camp fire at work? But my main job is educational tours, mostly with school groups. I love working with kids – they provide unique new insights into the most mundane things and I always get a fresh perspective on something I have done countless of times. Their questions usually make me question things I’ve never thought about before, which in turn leads me to expanding my own knowledge. This is what makes each tour unique, even though, technically, I repeat the same information every time. Read more

Hello! My name is Jillian Baker, and I am a third year student at Western University, double majoring in First Nations Studies and English literature. I have spent three terms with the museum now, working as both an Education Assistantduring the year, and the Head Camp Counsellor over the summer. My job ranges across a variety of disciplines, allowing me to both hone my own teaching skills with regards to cultural studies, while also gathering a thorough grounding in the ins and outs of archaeology. When I am not at the museum, I can be found reading a book, or –more likely– eating. I enjoy good quality cheeses and home baked treats.

Hello, my name is Lor Garry and I’m an Education Assistant at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology. I have been working at the Museum since September 2013 as part of the Work Study program through Western University.Previously, I have had other teaching-related positions, such as at the Children’s Museum as a Day Camp Counselor and other tutoring and mentoring programs, but I wanted to branch out and get involved with an organization with a more specific focus. I have always been really interested in history, so I thought that getting involved with educational programming at the Museum would build upon my previous skills and take me in a new direction. Read more

Hello, my name is Rory Hibbs. I began working for the museum this past September as a Camp Activity Designer.I have bachelor’s degree in history from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. I have had an interest in history for as long as I can remember. My first major assignment was a diorama on the Titanic in the 1st grade and I’ve been hooked ever since. Learning about our past in whatever form is always interesting.

What inspired you to work at MOA?
I came to the museum through a work-study program through Western University. What drew me to the position was the possibility of working around history and engaging with artifacts, which are our direct link to the past. I think it is a great thing to introduce young children to cultural artifacts. It is the best way to inspire children to get involved with their past. Read more

Hello, I’m Stephanie. I have been working at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology for the past 3 years. My position is gift shop assistant and it entails helping customers, answering the phone, booking tours and birthday parties as well as being the first impression of the museum when people come in.

I began working at the museum through work study at Western. Work study has helped me financially to make it through university. I currently work at the YMCA as well, and through the YMCA I gained skills such as customer service and good work ethics. At the YMCA I work with all sorts of people from young children, as small as three months to adults that all come from different parts of the world. This has helped me flourish at the Museum because I am able to provide a richer experience for the visitors that come.

I wanted to work at the Museum because I was interested in the First Nation culture and I also wanted to gain more experience outside of the YMCA. Read more

How long have you worked at MOA?
I have been at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology for 6 months.

What is your job title and what do you do?
I am a Curatorial Assistant. I assist Joan Kanigan, the Executive Director, with various assigned and ongoing projects. This includes processing the Museum’s collections and registering, accessing, cataloguing, and shelving the museum’s existing objects. I also maintain inventory and documentation according to Ontario curatorial standards. I have prepared various reports regarding collection activities and conditions of archival objects as well. Currently, I am assisting in an exhibit design. The exhibition is titled, “What Archaeologists Do In The Winter”. Read more